Catching up with The Other Brothers

By Chad Taylor

6/1/2016

The Other Brothers has a lot going on. The rock three-piece released a live album, “Live at Gas Lamp,” in January of this year while simultaneously working with Ames-based Nova Labs on a studio album. For frontman Eli Clark, there is no time like the present.

“We have shows June 4, June 9, June 24 and July 9,” Clark said. “The new album has to be released within that timeline.”

The Other Brothers play DG’s Taphouse, 125 Main St., Ames on Saturday, June 4.

Clark has never been a patient person, a trait that shows on stage, giving Other Brothers shows a feeling of manic immediacy, a feeling that is reflected in “Live at Gas Lamp.”

“Some people were like, ‘A live album? Really? Why would you do that?’’ ” Clark said. “Well, it was cheap and easy and more indicative of how we sound. But a studio album allows for a blend of different feels and different sounds.”

Clark is a songwriter who never lacks for material. Coming up with enough new songs to fill an album was the least of the band’s worries. Once the trio had the songs rehearsed and ready to go, Clark saw no reason to wait, even though the last album was only 3 months old.

“I don’t know how most bands sit on material,” he admitted. “I know some local musicians who sat on stuff for years. I couldn’t do that, dude; it would drive me nuts.”

The new album has not been the only thing The Other Brothers has been juggling. Bassist Larry Enos has been in and out of the hospital dealing with a broken elbow that has required a couple of surgeries and a metal plate to repair. After a few tense weeks of pain and uncertainty, Clark says Enos is back on track.

“Yeah, he’s good to go,” Clark confirmed. “We’ve been working him back into things. He’s doing physical therapy, but he’s ready to play.”

“Larry’s a very optimistic man. We kind of sat down and talked, and he knows what he had to cut back on. He broke a plate in his arm last time, but I can tell that he feels a lot better. At the time, I don’t think he knew what was coming next, but now everything has been resolved, and he feels a lot more confident.” CV